Let the bus battle begin

PASSENGERS are fighting to save their bus service from being taken over by transport giant Stagecoach.

Driver Rob Eyre with regular bus users in support of Dennis's, campaigning to save the 364 service

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PASSENGERS are fighting to save their bus service from being taken over by transport giant Stagecoach.

People who use the 364 mini-bus, operated by family-owned firm Dennis's, are angry about the plans.

Stagecoach is set to take over the route of the 364 - Heaton Norris through Stockport to the Bosden Farm estate, Offerton - at the end of this month after being awarded the contract from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive.

But Offerton residents are now campaigning to get the decision overturned and have collected a petition with over 500 signatures asking for GMPTE to reconsider.

Regular passenger Jenny Brooke relies on the service to travel to work. She said: "The driver Rob is excellent and stops wherever you want. It makes life a lot easier for the elderly people who use the service. At Christmas time he dressed up as Santa. He always has time for everyone and we can rely on the service."

Stagecoach has tried to alleviate fears by promising to keep the same standard of service. A spokesman for the company said: "This route will enhance our network in Stockport. Anyone with a Megarider or a day saver ticket will now be able to use it on the route. The contract has been awarded for up to five years. We will run the same timetable. The only difference will be the colour of the bus."

But a spokesman for Tameside-based Dennis's said: "People don't want to lose the service and we don't want to stop running it. But the contract has been awarded now. I don't think there is much we can do."